Doctors give 14-day strike notice

By Jabali Media

Doctors under the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) have issued a 14-day strike notice.

KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Bhimji Atellah said doctors will have no choice but to go on strike, if concerns they have raised over implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) are not addressed within 14 days.   

“We stand united to express our grave concerns following the roll-out of the Social Health Authority (SHA) on October 1st. Despite repeated warnings and feedback from Kenyans, the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA has led to significant challenges for civil servants, public sector workers, and the wider public,” Atellah said in an address to the press.  

He said public servants have lost access to the healthcare coverage they once enjoyed under NHIF, with no clear communication on what SHA will offer.

SHA, Atellah added, is deducting more from workers' salaries, but providing less.

“This is unacceptable, as workers are paying more for substandard services, threatening their well-being.”

Of particular concern, the Secretary General said, the SHA transition threatens the jobs of those employed by NHIF, creating additional uncertainty for workers and their families.

He called for 100% transition of previously employed NHIF employees with full benefits, besides immediate assurance of continuity of comprehensive healthcare coverage for public servants.

Atellah asked for full engagement with unions to review SHA's shortcomings, in a bid to find fair solutions for Kenyans.

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